Envy

Yuri Olesha’s novella Envy, a tour de force that is compared to Nabokov and Bulgakov, combines cutting social satire, slapstick humor, and a wild visionary streak. The book presents Andrei, a swaggeringly self-satisfied mogul, intends to revolutionize life with mass-produced sausage. Nikolai, a loser, finds Andrei’s generosity and offers him a bed and a job. Despite taking what he can, Nikolai is ungrateful and despises Andrei’s beliefs, even though he envies him.

The insider and outcast, master and man fight back and forth in Olesha’s anarchic comedy. It’s a contest of wills, with only the incorrigible human heart certain. Marian Schwartz’s new English translation captures Envy’s energy brilliantly.

(This book may contain a sharpie mark on the top or bottom edge and may show mild signs of shelfwear.)